Alliance - Khabar Asia

Chapter 45: At the Mouth of the Three Rivers, Cao Cao’s Forces Falter; Heroes Gather as Jiang Gan Is Outwitted

news2025-06-052025-06-03049 mins

Zhou Yu lures Zhuge Liang into Wu’s camp under the pretense of seizing Cao Cao’s supplies at Jutie Mountain, secretly intending to have Cao’s forces eliminate him. Zhuge Liang, aware of Zhou Yu’s plot, feigns compliance while planning to strike by water instead. Meanwhile, Liu Bei sails to meet Zhou Yu, but Guan Yu’s presence thwarts the assassination. Back at camp, Zhou Yu executes Cao Cao’s envoy, provoking Cao’s fury. Naval battles ensue at the Three Rivers’ mouth: Gan Ning’s archery routs Cai Yan, and Wu’s fleet overwhelms Cao’s poorly trained soldiers. Cao rebuilds his river defenses under Mao Jie and Yu Jin. Zhou Yu, cautious of Zhuge Liang’s insight, prepares further stratagems, while Lu Su and Zhuge Liang conspire to secure victory.

Chapter 44: Zhuge Liang Outsmarts Zhou Yu; Sun Quan Resolves to Crush Cao Cao

news2025-06-042025-06-03037 mins

Lady Wu urges Sun Quan to consult Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu returns, initially inclined to surrender to Cao Cao, but Lu Su angrily opposes. When Zhuge Liang arrives, he coolly rebukes both sides: surrender secures nothing, and he proposes a stratagem—send Cao Cao the Qiao sisters. By offering Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, whom Cao Cao covets, Wu could force his retreat without fighting. Upon hearing Zhuge Liang recite the “Ode to the Bronze Sparrow Terrace,” Zhou Yu realizes the ruse and vows never to submit. Encouraged, Sun Quan boldly resolves to raise arms against Cao Cao. Thus, Eastern Wu commits to war, forging a crucial alliance and setting the stage for the conflict to come.

Zhuge Liangs Persuasion at the Yangtze Court

Chapter 43: Zhuge Liang’s Verbal Duel with the Scholars, Lu Zijing Defies the Majority

news2025-06-032025-06-03044 mins

Upon entering Sun Quan’s hall, Zhuge Liang faces a barrage of challenges from Eastern Wu’s ministers, each questioning Liu Bei’s worth and Cao Cao’s might. With calm authority, he rebukes their sophistry: Cao Cao’s million troops are strong, but his forces are overextended, weary, and untested on water, whereas Liu Bei still commands capable generals and loyal soldiers. He urges Sun Quan to weigh the moment—either cut ties with Cao Cao now or risk being crushed alone. Provoked by Zhuge Liang’s reasoning, Sun Quan retreats and broods, only to return in resolve: he will join Liu Bei to resist Cao Cao, forging the Sun–Liu alliance that reshapes the balance of power.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei Apprehend the Enemy Generals

Chapter 22: Yuan and Cao Each Muster Cavalry and Infantry; Guan Yu and Zhang Fei Capture Generals Wang and Liu

news2025-05-132025-05-09018 mins

As Yuan Shao and Cao Cao muster vast armies, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei storm Xuzhou’s gates, seizing Generals Wang Zhong and Liu Dai to secure Liu Bei’s position.

Chapter 5: Forged Edict Rallies the Provinces to Cao Cao; The Three Heroes Battle Lü Bu at Hulao Pass

news2025-04-262025-04-23021 mins

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei unite under Gongsun Zan and Cao Cao. The alliance battles Dong Zhuo’s champion Lü Bu—first at Sishui Pass, where Guan Yu slays Hua Xiong, then in an epic three-way duel at Hulao Pass.